foreclosure

noun

fore·​clo·​sure (ˌ)fȯr-ˈklō-zhər 

: an act or instance of foreclosing

specifically : a legal proceeding that bars or extinguishes a mortgagor's right of redeeming a mortgaged estate

Examples of foreclosure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Like the film, the show charts the domino effects of the 2008 financial crisis, which stalled construction on the outrageous Florida mega-mansion as the Siegels faced foreclosure. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

The sale of Southridge Mall in the Village of Greendale could move forward by the end of 2025 as the village finalizes its master plan for the 100-acre site ahead of a potential foreclosure auction. —Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 10 Nov. 2025

Housing authority officials sought financial assistance from the city of Little Rock earlier this year in an attempt to stave off foreclosure, but a deal never came to fruition. —Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 10 Nov. 2025

The homes favored by companies tied to them were typically inexpensive and often purchased in foreclosure, with an average price of roughly $120,000. —Karen Wang, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foreclosure

• nondisclosure
• postexposure
• closure
• crozier
• hosier
• mosher
• composure
• cynosure
• disclosure
• enclosure
• exposure
• inclosure

Legal Definition

foreclosure

noun

fore·​clos·​ure fōr-ˈklō-zhər 

1

: a legal proceeding that bars or extinguishes a mortgagor's equity of redemption in mortgaged real property see also deficiency judgment at judgment, redeem, right of redemption, statutory foreclosure, strict foreclosure sense 1

2

: the extinguishment (as under the provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) of the rights of a debtor in personal property subject to a security interest by judicial proceedings and especially by judicial sale see also strict foreclosure sense 2